Destination guide
Travel vaccines for Malawi
From the shores of Lake Malawi to the game parks of the south, here is what UK travellers should organise before heading to the warm heart of Africa.
Overview
What vaccinations do I need for Malawi?
For most trips to Malawi we recommend making sure you are covered for hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus, and taking antimalarial tablets, which are advised for the whole country all year round. Depending on your plans and background, cholera, hepatitis B, rabies, polio, measles (MMR), dengue awareness and tuberculosis may also be discussed.
Malawi is a wonderful mix of lake and bush, whether you are swimming and kayaking around Cape Maclear, snorkelling near the islands, or on safari in Liwonde and Majete. A couple of health points deserve special attention: year-round malaria and schistosomiasis (bilharzia) risk in the fresh water of Lake Malawi. We will tailor everything to your itinerary at a short consultation.
Plan ahead
Book 4–6 weeks before you fly
Some vaccines need more than one dose or a little time to work, and antimalarials often need starting before you travel. Booking four to six weeks ahead gives us room to plan properly, but if your trip is sooner, still get in touch, as there is usually something useful we can do.
Recommended vaccinations
Vaccines commonly advised for Malawi
These recommendations follow TravelHealthPro (UKHSA/NaTHNaC) guidance and are confirmed for you at a short consultation.
Hepatitis A
Most travellers
Spread through contaminated food and water, which is a real risk with lakeside eating and rural travel across Malawi.
Tetanus
Most travellers
Worth updating before you go, as cuts and grazes are easy to pick up around the lake, on hikes or on safari.
Typhoid
Most travellers
Recommended because of food and water hygiene risks, especially if you are staying longer or eating outside main hotels.
Cholera
Some travellers
Considered for those working in relief settings, visiting during outbreaks, or in areas with poor sanitation and limited clean water.
Dengue
Some travellers
Spread by daytime mosquitoes; the vaccine is only for selected travellers, so bite avoidance remains your main protection.
Hepatitis B
Some travellers
Advised for longer stays, healthcare or aid work, or anyone who may need medical or dental treatment while in Malawi.
Measles (MMR)
Some travellers
Check you have had two lifetime doses of MMR, as measles still circulates and outbreaks can occur.
Polio
Some travellers
Usually given as a combined booster with tetanus and diphtheria if you are due one.
Rabies
Some travellers
Worth considering given dogs, monkeys and bats, remote travel, and the fact that treatment after a bite can be hard to access locally.
Tuberculosis
Some travellers
Considered mainly for longer stays or close contact with local communities, especially in younger travellers.
Entry rules — separate from your jabs
Yellow fever certificate: what Malawi requires
A yellow fever certificate requirement is a legal condition of entry — it is not the same thing as the vaccine being recommended for your health. The recommendation (when there is one) appears in the vaccine list above; the entry rule is below.
Flying direct from the UK? No yellow fever certificate needed for Malawi
Malawi only asks for a certificate (ICVP) from travellers aged 1 year+ who arrive from — or pass through — a country with yellow fever risk, and airport layovers over 12 hours in a risk country count. That catches out multi-country itineraries, so check your whole route, not just your destination.
There is no yellow fever transmission risk in Malawi itself — this rule exists purely to stop the virus being carried in from elsewhere.
Malaria & mosquitoes
Malaria and mosquito-borne illness in Malawi
There is a high risk of malaria throughout Malawi all year round, so antimalarial tablets are recommended for the whole country. The usual options are atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine, and we will help you choose based on your health, budget and how long you are away. Tablets work alongside good bite prevention, not instead of it.
- Cover up at dusk and use a DEET repellent on exposed skin
- Sleep under a treated net or in air-conditioned, screened rooms
- See a doctor urgently for any fever during or after your trip
FAQ
Malawi travel vaccines — FAQs
Getting ready for Malawi?
Book a travel health consultation at our Timperley clinic and we will build a plan for your vaccines, malaria tablets and lake and safari safety. Friendly, practical advice from a GPhC-registered pharmacy.